RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – International Federation of Association Football or FIFA officially shared the return of the FIFA Series for its second edition in 2026. This project brings together national teams from different continents to compete in meaningful friendly matches.

According to the website, the FIFA Series aims to support football development by facilitating games between nations that rarely meet. It offers a unique platform for teams to gain international experience outside their usual confederations.

Global Scale and Format

The 2026 edition features 50 national teams representing nearly a quarter of FIFA’s total members. These teams are divided into 13 groups of three or four participants each.

Twelve member associations will host the series, including Indonesia, Rwanda, and several other nations. Nine groups feature men’s national teams, while four groups involve women’s national teams.

Indonesia’s Role as Host

Gelora Bung Karno Stadium Jakarta is set to welcome teams from various continents for the men's edition this year. The Indonesian group includes Bulgaria from Europe and Saint Kitts and Nevis from North America.

The Solomon Islands from Oceania will also join the competition held on Indonesian soil. This variety ensures a diverse competitive profile for all participating nations in the archipelago.

Participating Teams and Rankings

The men's side involves teams ranging from Australia to the emerging US Virgin Islands. Women's teams include top-tier nations like Brazil and developing squads such as Turks and Caicos.

This wide range of competitive profiles reinforces the development-driven design of the FIFA initiative. All six football confederations are represented in this massive international football project.

Schedule and Match Mechanics

The men's matches will take place from 25 March until 31 March 2026. Meanwhile, the women's event starts on 9 April and concludes on 18 April 2026.

Participating nations have agreed on varied formats, including semi-finals or pre-arranged fixtures. Any match ending in a draw will go straight to a penalty shootout.

FIFA avoids extra time to maintain the physical well-being of the international players. One member association will emerge as the victor in each respective group.

This participant-led approach makes the fixtures more engaging for fans and broadcasters alike. It provides a valuable sporting opportunity for every team involved in the global series.

Viewing Platforms and Schedules

Fans can watch the live matches through the FIFA+ official streaming platform and local broadcasters. Many matches will also be available on the YouTube channels of the participating member associations.

The full match schedule is accessible through the official FIFA website under the FIFA Series section. Fans are encouraged to check local listings for kick-off times in their specific time zones.